Illuminated sign



June 22 19260 1,589,769 R. A. T1835 ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Oct. 6, 1925 c en en uric mdblei si o. Pu t J W. WM

UhllTED RICHARD A. TIBBS, OF BAKERSFIELD, CALIFQBNIA.

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

Application filed Dotober 6, 1925. Serial No. 60,789.

This invention relates to improvements in illuminated signs of the general type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,494,761, of May 20, 1924-, that is to say of the general type whereinthc lamps are enclosed in a hollow box-like body having a wall, or two opposite walls, accordingly as the sign may be single face or double face, provided with apertures arranged in somewhat close association and in considerable number. in the outline of the letter, character or device to be displayed, and with reflecting projections coinciding with the apertures and which intercept the rays of the lamps and deflect them through the apertures.

In such constructions the reflecting projections'which are usually integrally connected to the face plate of the lamp casing have given more or less trouble because of the weakness of the connections between the projections and the face plate and while special forms such as that shown in my said prior patent have provided for greater strength of the connections between the projections and the face plate it has been found that the objection has not been entirely overcome and that the projections are liable to be bent when the sign is handled during its shipment or erection or in connection with its maintenance, that is to say cleaning, painting or repairing operations. Such bending of any one of the projections causes the same to reflect the light at a different angle from its neighbors and hence interferes with the uniform appearance and display qualities of the lighted sign.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a sign which shall have the advantages of signs of the type described but wherein the projections are not liable to become bent or distorted in consequence of the handling of the sign in its transportation, erection or maintenance, and further are so formed and arranged that the lamps are not in the lines of vision and a more even distribution of reflected light of uniform intensity is made possible.

lVith the above objects in view the invention is particularly directed to the form and construction of the reflecting projections and to the relation between such projections and the face plate of sign with which they cooperate.

The invention is illustrated in the panying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section of a sign embodying the present improvements.

Figure 2 is a cross section on the line 22 of Figure 1. a

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the reflecting projections incorporated in the construction of Figure 1.

Figure 4: is a detail sectional view on the line 441- of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrow. 7

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view showing a reflecting projection of modified form.

Figure 6 is a cross section on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views illustrating further modifications in the form of the reflecting projections.

.Figure 9 is a detail perspective view of the reflecting projection shown in Figure 8.

The sign boX or casing 1 may be of any suitable construction and may have the characters to be displayed arranged on one wall, or on two opposite walls, accordingly as the sign-may be single face or double face, a double face sign being shown. The characters to be displayed may, if desired, be

suitably produced on the wall or face of,

the sign; this is not necessary but it is to be preferred. As shown, said characters, as 2, are painted on the outer face of the sign in acolor which contrasts suitably with the general color of the sign box. The sign may have as many rows or tiers of characters as circumstances may require, that shown consisting of a single row of characters which formthe word Shoes. The lamps may be arranged in accordance with any standard practice. As shownthe lamps 3 are arranged in upper and lower rows, the lamps of said rows being supported by the top and bottom walls of the casing and beingarranged at regular intervals preferably with reflectors 4 placed between them. Each display face of the sign is provided with openings 5 of suitable diameter which 1 are regularly arranged in the outline of the touch the circumference of the opening 5 at one point and the flanges or webs 7 extend symmetrically in opposite directions from such point, each flange. extending through approximately a quarter of a circle and increasing in width according to the angle at which the projection 6 is intended to lie relatively to the display face. Beyond the flanges or webs 7 and coinciding with the remaininghalf; more or less, of the circumference of the opening 5 a relatively long and wide gap 8 intervenes between the projection 6 and the edge of the openin'g 5' through which therays from the lamps 3 reach the projection.

Reflecting projections having the above general characteristics may be: of: various forms and maybe constructed and arranged in different ways. As shown in Figures 1 to 4 the projections 6 are flat and are fozuned integrally with the face plate by being pressed from said plate by dies constructed to provide" the webs or flanges 'Z and the gap 8. .Theprojections may also be varied ast'o their points of direct connection with the face plate, such variation involving c0rresponding variation in. the lamp arrange-- ment. As shown in Figures 1 andQtheproj'ections are directly connected to the face plate at their extreme upper points and from such points are inclined inward and downward and are reached in all directions, withinthe limits' of the gap8 v by the direct and reflected rays from the lamps. It will be noted that the lamps are effectively'concealed and that the arrangement is such that their direct rays will not be in the line of vision. so that all glare spots are eliminated and the arrangement of the lamps being uniform an even distribution of reflected light of uniform intensity throughout the'entire area of the sign is obtained;

Figures 5 and 6' illustrate amodified or alternative form of reflecting projection which. embodies the. same features of constrnction and the same principles of operation as that shown. in Figures 3" and ii: but wherein the projection, as 6 is of -shaped cross section. Figure 7 shows a further modified construction of reflectingprojection which embodies the features of struc ture and operation of. the. reflected projection shown in Figures 3 and. 4 but wherein.

the. projection, as. 6,. is of concave form. Flgure 8 lllustrates' aconstructionwhich is applicable to light enuttrng'openmgs of rela tively large size. In this modification: the reflectmg pro ection, as 6, instead otbeing integrally combinedil with the display Wall is.

not be liable to bending, distortion or made originally as a separate element and of generally rectangular or oblong form, as shown in Figure 9 and is provided along three edges with flanges 9 which are fastened in any suitable manner to the display wall, that is to by soldering or welding. Light reflecting projections having the features herein disclosed will give highly el'lective display and illuminating results while at: the same time being strongly braced to the display wall throughout approximately half of their extent and synnnctrically at each side of their points of contact with said Wall, will never become broken and will displacement as a result of the handling of the sign, even though roughly, in connection with its shipment, erection or maintenance.

Having fully descrihed my innlntion I claim 1. An illuminated sign comprising a casing having openings in one or more of its walls in the outlines of the letter or charac ter strokes to be displayed, lamps enclosed in saidcasing and reflecting proj'ctions adjacent said openings, said projections e2;- tendin-g'inward from and at an angle to the wall in which saidopenings are formed and webs or flanges connecting said projections and said wall and bracing said projections, said webs or flanges extending symmetrically from the points of contact of said projections and said wall and having an extent of approximately half of the extent of the walls of said openings thereby leaving relatively wide gaps between said projections and the remaining extent of the walls of said openings.

2; An illuminated sign comprising a cas-- ing having, openings in one or more of its walls in the outlines of the letter or character strokes to be displayed; lamps enclosed in said casing and reflections adjacent said openings, said projections extending inward from and at an angle to the wall in which said openings are formed and webs or flanges with which saidnrojcctions are pressed from said wall" and w 'iich intcgi ally connect said projections ands-aid wall and brace said pro jections, said wcbsor flangs citcnding syinmetrically from the points of contact of said projections and said all and having an extent of approximately half of the extent of the walls ofsaid openings, tl'ierchy leaving relatively wide gay-J bet ensaid pro jections and the remaini extent of the wallsofsaid" openings.

In testimony whereof i attir my signature.

Brennan it." rises. 

